The 2026 election desk
2026 voting guides
Registration by method, early voting, mailed ballot applications, returns and poll hours for all 50 states and DC.
Open your complete state voting guide. Tables cover ordinary domestic voters; military, overseas, emergency and local exceptions require the linked election authority.
| State | Mailed-ballot request | In-person early/absentee window | Ballot return | Election Day hours | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Oct 27 | Local / route-specific; see note | The election authority must have the ballot by noon on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. Personal delivery by the voter has an earlier cutoff; see the method-specific note below. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Alaska | Oct 24 | Oct 19–Nov 3 | Domestic mail: postmark Nov 3; delivery by Nov 13. Hand return: 8 p.m. Nov 3. Overseas deadlines differ. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | OFF-AK · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · AK-VOTE · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Arizona | Oct 23 | Oct 7–Oct 30 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Arkansas | Oct 27 | Oct 19–Nov 2 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7:30 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. Personal delivery by the voter has an earlier cutoff; see the method-specific note below. | 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| California | Automatically mailed; exceptions apply | Oct 5–Nov 2 | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival by Nov 10. Hand/drop-box return: 8 p.m. Nov 3. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Colorado | Automatically mailed; exceptions apply | Oct 19–Nov 3 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Connecticut | Nov 2 | Oct 19–Nov 1 | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. Personal delivery by the voter has an earlier cutoff; see the method-specific note below. | 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. | CT-GUIDE · BP-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · VOTE-MAIL · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Delaware | Oct 30 | Oct 22–Nov 1 | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | OFF-DE · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| District of Columbia | Automatically mailed; exceptions apply | Oct 26–Nov 1 | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival by Nov 13. Hand/drop-box return: 8 p.m. Nov 3. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | DC-CURRENT · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Florida | Oct 22 | Oct 24–Oct 31 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Georgia | Oct 23 | Oct 13–Oct 30 | The election authority must have the ballot by close of polls on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Hawaii | Automatically mailed; exceptions apply | Oct 20–Nov 3 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Idaho | Oct 23 | Oct 13–Oct 30 | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · OFF-ID · BP-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Illinois | Oct 29 | Sep 24–Nov 2 | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival by Nov 17. Hand return: 7 p.m. Nov 3. | 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Indiana | Oct 22 | Oct 6–Nov 2 | The election authority must have the ballot by 6 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Iowa | Oct 19 | Oct 14–Nov 2 | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Kansas | Oct 27 | Oct 14–Nov 2 | Current court order: mail postmarked Nov 3 may arrive by the final postal delivery Nov 6. Hand/drop-box return: close of polls Nov 3. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | KS-STATUTE · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · KS-VOTE · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Kentucky | Oct 20 | Oct 29–Oct 31 | The election authority must have the ballot by 6 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Louisiana | Oct 30 | Oct 20–Oct 27 | Most voters: ballot must reach the registrar by 4:30 p.m. Nov 2. Military, overseas and certain other designated categories have later cutoffs. | 6 a.m.–8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3; Saturday runoff hours differ. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Maine | Oct 29 | Local / route-specific; see note | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | Opening set locally; close 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Maryland | Oct 27 | Oct 22–Oct 29 | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival by 10 a.m. Nov 13. Hand/drop-box return: 8 p.m. Nov 3. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Massachusetts | Oct 27 | Oct 17–Oct 30 | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival by 5 p.m. Nov 6. Hand/drop-box return: close of polls Nov 3. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Michigan | Oct 30 | Oct 24–Nov 1 | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Minnesota | Nov 2 | Sep 18–Nov 2 | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Mississippi | — | Local / route-specific; see note | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival within five business days, by Nov 10. Qualifying absentee eligibility is required. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Missouri | Oct 21 | Oct 20–Nov 2 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Montana | Nov 2 | Local / route-specific; see note | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Nebraska | Oct 23 | Oct 5–Nov 2 | The election authority must have the ballot by close of polls on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Central time zone); 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Mountain time zone) | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Nevada | Automatically mailed; exceptions apply | Oct 17–Oct 30 | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival by 5 p.m. Nov 7. Hand/drop-box return: 7 p.m. Nov 3. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| New Hampshire | Nov 2 | Local / route-specific; see note | The election authority must have the ballot by 5 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | Hours set by municipality; close no earlier than 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| New Jersey | Oct 27 | Oct 24–Nov 1 | Mail: postmark by 8 p.m. Nov 3 and arrival by Nov 9. Hand return: 8 p.m. Nov 3. | 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| New Mexico | Oct 20 | Oct 6–Oct 31 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| New York | Oct 24 | Oct 24–Nov 1 | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival by Nov 10. Authorized hand return: 9 p.m. Nov 3. | 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. | NY-GUIDE · BP-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| North Carolina | Oct 20 | Oct 15–Oct 31 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7:30 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| North Dakota | — | Local / route-specific; see note | The election authority must have the ballot by close of polls on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. Deliver to the county auditor or authorized drop box, not to an Election Day polling place. | Hours set locally; closing ranges from 7 to 9 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Ohio | Oct 27 | Oct 6–Nov 1 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7:30 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Oklahoma | Oct 19 | Oct 28–Oct 31 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. Personal delivery by the voter has an earlier cutoff; see the method-specific note below. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Oregon | Automatically mailed; exceptions apply | Local / route-specific; see note | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival by Nov 10. Drop-box return: 8 p.m. local time Nov 3. | Ballot drop deadline: 8 p.m. local time; election-office hours vary. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Pennsylvania | Oct 27 | Local / route-specific; see note | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Rhode Island | Oct 13 | Oct 14–Nov 2 | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | RI-PORTAL · RI-RULE · BP-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · VOTE-MAIL · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| South Carolina | Oct 23 | Oct 19–Oct 31 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| South Dakota | Nov 2 | Sep 18–Nov 2 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Tennessee | Oct 24 | Oct 14–Oct 29 | Return through the mail; arrival required by 7 p.m. Central / 8 p.m. Eastern Nov 3. Ordinary hand delivery is not permitted. | Opening set by county; close 7 p.m. Central / 8 p.m. Eastern | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · TN-VOTE · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Texas | Oct 23 | Oct 19–Oct 30 | Ordinary domestic mail: Nov 3 postmark, with arrival by 5 p.m. Nov 4. Election Day hand delivery has ID and designated-location requirements. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Utah | Automatically mailed; exceptions apply | Oct 20–Oct 30 | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Vermont | Automatically mailed; exceptions apply | Sep 19–Nov 2 | The election authority must have the ballot by close of polls on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | Opening set locally; close 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Virginia | Oct 23 | Sep 18–Oct 31 | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival by noon Nov 6. Hand return: 7 p.m. Nov 3. | 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Washington | Automatically mailed; exceptions apply | Oct 16–Nov 3 | Mail: postmark by Nov 3. Drop boxes: 8 p.m. local time Nov 3. | Ballot drop deadline: 8 p.m. local time; election-office hours vary. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| West Virginia | Oct 28 | Oct 21–Oct 31 | Mail: Nov 3 postmark and arrival by Nov 9. Without a postmark, arrival by Nov 4. Personal hand return: Nov 2. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Wisconsin | Oct 29 | Oct 20–Nov 1 | The election authority must have the ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
| Wyoming | Nov 2 | Oct 6–Nov 2 | The election authority must have the ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov 3; an Election Day postmark alone does not meet this receipt deadline. | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | BP-MAIL · VOTE-MAIL · BP-EARLY · VOTE-EARLY · BP-RETURN · BP-HOURS · VOTECLOCK · GP-HOURS |
Conditional runoff calendar
| State | Date | Office scope | Registration / eligibility | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA | Dec 1 | Contests requiring a general-election runoff | October 5 for state/local runoff contests; November 2 for federal runoff contests. Registration and prior participation are separate questions. | GA-CALENDAR · GA-FULTON · GA-PUTNAM |
| MS | Dec 1 | Eligible general/special nonpartisan contests, if needed; not a Senate general-election runoff rule | Nov 2 | MS-CALENDAR · MS-GUIDE · VOTE-MAIL |
| LA | Dec 12 | U.S. House/open-primary contests without a November majority; not a Senate runoff | Mail/in-person Nov 12; online Nov 21 | LA-FORMAT · LA-DATES · LA-JEFFERSON · LA-POWER |
GA · Dec 1 Statewide: starts as soon as possible, no later than November 23, through November 25. Some counties, including Fulton, schedule a November 21 start; use the local calendar.
Received by close of polls December 1; early-voting drop boxes can close earlier. Polling hours: 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local time.
Absentee application: Nov 20. GA-CALENDAR · GA-FULTON · GA-PUTNAM
MS · Dec 1 No general early voting. For qualifying absentee voters, in-person absentee voting ends at noon November 28.
Mail: postmark by December 1; delivery within five business days, by December 8. Eligibility and permitted return method still apply. Polling hours: 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local time.
MS-CALENDAR · MS-GUIDE · VOTE-MAIL
LA · Dec 12 November 28–December 5, excluding Sunday November 29, 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Most voters: received by the registrar by 4:30 p.m. December 11. Special categories differ. Polling hours: 7 a.m.–8 p.m. on Saturday December 12.
Absentee application: Dec 8 at 4:30 p.m.. LA-FORMAT · LA-DATES · LA-JEFFERSON · LA-POWER
Common voting questions
When is Election Day? November 3, 2026. Earlier registration and ballot deadlines still matter. OFF-FL · OFF-NC
Can I still register? The answer depends on your state, method and eligibility. Consult the separate online, mail and in-person fields. BP-REG · VOTE-REG
Does a postmark count? Some states require actual receipt; others allow timely postmarks and a later arrival. Use the state’s method-specific return rule. BP-RETURN · VOTE-MAIL
Are these results? No. These are pre-election estimates and election information. Official results and certification will be labeled separately. DDHQ-TOP · POL